The Heather Networkhttp://theheathernetwork.com
Electronic Music Forecast - Toronto, VancouverTue, 23 Sep 2014 22:36:57 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.65 Tips on How to Get DJ MES’d up safely this Saturdayhttp://theheathernetwork.com/5-tips-get-dj-mesd-safely-saturday/
Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:10:29 +0000http://theheathernetwork.com/?p=2782DJ Mes is comin’ to town and all house music lovers are gonna get down! Toronto legends join forces with the Oakland heavyweight this Saturday September 27th taking over BOTH floors of the beloved Li’ly lounge. Flipside, Mike Gleeson, Miz Megs, Loopity Goofs, Chris Vench and G.Cue are assisting[...]

Here are 5 tips on how to get DJ MES’d up the best way possible this Saturday.

1) Be armed with smoking section/back of the dance floor knowledge.

In between dancing your ass off there are opportunities to talk to other party goers – some that are friends and some that are future Facebook friends. At least know who the headliner is and wtf they do to avoid a) not having something to contribute to conversations and b) letting people feel like they need to educate you.

Have you heard of Guesthouse Music? Dj Mes made this label 10 years ago and now everybody who is anybody in the business of creating funky bumpy house is on it. Sonny Fodera, Dj Sneak, Johnny Fiasco and Chuck Daniels are all included in this funky family and you can learn more about it by reading the DJ MES/Guesthouse profile on 5 Magazine.

2) Wear sneakers.

Dancing is imminent if you have a soul. DJ Mes kills it yes, but, also, the locals will scuff the loafer of any scoffer any day of the week. I can personally attest to genuinely needing a sweat towel from seeing Flipside murder it at Cabana to G.Cue showing an after hours how its done and let me tell you, this sneaker advice is not to be taken lightly. Comfort, support, style, it could save your life.

3)Bring your friends

Well, at least the cool ones, because we all know it sucks we we’re all like “Yoooo, I was at the sickest party last weekend!” and then getting punched in the face for not bringing them. Some people just don’t know the things we know and we have to share the knowledge to save our face.

4) Tip/know your bartender

An obvious one but an important one. Start tipping at the beginning of the night and building rapport, that way by the time the party is in full swing, along with the traffic at the bar, the bartender may give you preference in the order you get served thus resulting in your speedy return to the dance floor. Plus they could be hot.

5) Don’t be an ass on the dance floor

Be consistent in the amount of space you take up to dance, don’t try to (blatantly) pick up chicks and don’t be smelly. Need I say more? I wrote a post on Dance floor etiquette a couple years ago if you are interested in some light reading.

]]>Vancouver vs Toronto Party Scenes: 5 Differenceshttp://theheathernetwork.com/vancouver-vs-toronto-party-scene/
Thu, 10 Apr 2014 19:12:14 +0000http://theheathernetwork.com/?p=2757I’ve been partying in Toronto’s underground house music and drum and bass scene for over 10 years, but since moving out West to Vancouver a month ago, I’ve come across some differences between the electronic music scene here and there. 1)West Coast Welcome: It’s been a shocker, moving from such[...]

1)West Coast Welcome: It’s been a shocker, moving from such a big city to a city a third of the size, trying to get to know WHERE the parties are, let alone meeting new people to party with. Promoters are all too happy to get to know me/meet up for tickets and there are lots of costumes and hugging that go down at these jams. The scene is smaller, but this makes it easier to get to know everyone.

2)What’s a Weeknight? I attended the Hospitality event at Venue on Wednesday, March 19 and surely wasn’t disappointed. The tunes were bumping and the place was packed from right when I got there around 11:30pm. Yes, on a Wednesday!

3)Bassier: The locals here have a knack for playing a bassier sound and when I say that, I compare them to Toronto’s drum and bass locals who veer towards jump up. That is not the norm here in Van!

4)GeneroCITY: I hit up a jam at Redroom on Saturday March 8th feat. Drumsound and Bassline Smith. Someone gave me a free ticket to an upcoming party and I got a chance to chat with Ben (Drumsound) as he hopped off the stage to give fans shots of Grey Goose. I didn’t get to see much of this in Toronto unless I had been in the “VIP” area. PLUR is in full effect here in Van!

5)Chicks are hotter: Sorry, they just are.

Partying in Van? Be sure to check out Blue Print Events – They hosted the Hospitality party with the SHAHdjs and have been nothing but welcoming and pure good vibes. I’m stoked to check out Art Department tomorrow night. Let’s see how Vancity welcomes Toronto love!

]]>Best Garden Party of the Year – I PROMISEhttp://theheathernetwork.com/best-garden-party-year-promise/
Sat, 05 Apr 2014 21:07:49 +0000http://theheathernetwork.com/?p=2759Promise will be throwing their 3rd Annual Garden Party at the Lithuanian Community House this Friday, April 11th …your rubber boots won’t know what’s happening to them. Torontonians have used the most profanity IN HISTORY to describe this past Winter. Now it is time to say goodbye. Goodbye to one[...]

]]>Promise will be throwing their 3rd Annual Garden Party at the Lithuanian Community House this Friday, April 11th …your rubber boots won’t know what’s happening to them.

Torontonians have used the most profanity IN HISTORY to describe this past Winter. Now it is time to say goodbye. Goodbye to one kind of Canada Goose and hello to another by binge dancing in your most spectacular Spring fashion.

Promise has selected just the artists to help you to shake your ass into Spring.

What does Deep House sound like in French? Trick question, but Seychelle will let you know. Shaking foundations of nightclubs like Circus and stimulating crowds at Piknic Electronik, this Montreal Dj and Producer is the headliner for your garden experience. Bring an extra shirt – you might lose yours.

The Lithuanian Community House is a new venue for Promise, so stay tuned for even more of an unbeaten path that Promise is known for. There will be a photo booth, costumes, drinks, beats, spring decor, good people, good vibes, AWESOME SOUND and there’s one thing that every garden party should have – HOES!

Advanced tickets are still available – hit me up at contact@theheathernetwork.com to grab yours before they are gone.

]]>Gene Farris to Shake Toronto’s Underground March 29thhttp://theheathernetwork.com/gene-farris-will-shake-torontos-underground/
Fri, 21 Mar 2014 22:53:22 +0000http://theheathernetwork.com/?p=2746Gene Farris, the father of Farris Wheel Recordings and making dance floors vibrate is coming to Toronto on March 29th 2014 at the Red Door Loft. Hit me up for list – contact@theheathernetwork.com The LAST TIME I saw Gene Farris was when he headlined with Stacey Pullen at Sonic in[...]

“The first time I ever put two records together I was 11. The first time I ever played at a club – 18. And the first place I had a full-blown residency was at the Powerhouse with Ron Carroll, DJ Rush and myself, in… well, the poster on the wall over there says “1990”. – Gene Farris | 5 Magazine

A legend indeed, Farris isn’t finished with us house heads yet. He keeps releasing smashers on labels like Cajual, Relief and his Farris Wheel keeps on spinnin’.

Gene Farris joined forces with Sonny Fodera to make this dance insanity…

Come out to the Red Door Loft on Saturday, March 29th if you like good music, good vibes, awesome dancing peers AND a seriously DOPE sound system. AlienInFLux is fluxing their magical sound boxes…with the best system in the city you kinda know you’re at the best party. Is that shallow in some weird way? Probably.

Party times will be going late. Please, please, please do not hang around the entrance of the venue out of respect for the privacy of the amazing jams that happen within.

Get a spot on my list for reduced entry before 12:30. Email me at contact@theheathernetwork.com

]]>DBR Recordings Turning Three = BIG JAMhttp://theheathernetwork.com/dbr-recordings-turns-three-big-jam/
Wed, 19 Feb 2014 07:03:04 +0000http://theheathernetwork.com/?p=2736The Toronto dance music scene has it goin’ on. We have so many artists, parties, partiers, promoters, record labels, talent AND posers…but the truth is….three years ago, OUR LIVES WERE SHITTIER compared to what they are today. We didn’t know it then, but without DBR Recordings, our music scene was[...]

]]>The Toronto dance music scene has it goin’ on. We have so many artists, parties, partiers, promoters, record labels, talent AND posers…but the truth is….three years ago, OUR LIVES WERE SHITTIER compared to what they are today.

We didn’t know it then, but without DBR Recordings, our music scene was less funkier, less sexier, less bumpier and less sweatier. Deficiencies of such elements are known to cause Rigid Hipster Syndrome (RHS), which is a real thing.

Three years ago MC Flipside and Chris Vench came together to make a musical baby that has grown into a musical toddler. Bringing bright stars and hidden gems together under one label, DBR has made quite a name for itself alongside it’s sister label PBR. With 45 releases on Beatport and many more people dancing to date, we laugh in the face of RHS.

]]>FIASCO GOES LOCOL FEB 8th 2014http://theheathernetwork.com/fiasco-goes-locol/
Sat, 01 Feb 2014 06:38:13 +0000http://theheathernetwork.com/?p=2721House music in Toronto will never be the same after February 8th 2014. Johnny Fiasco, based on sets of parties past, will murder the secret dance floor and merrymakers will be glad to have survived to tell the tale. OK, so maybe that’s a little dramatic. All weird writing aside,[...]

]]>House music in Toronto will never be the same after February 8th 2014. Johnny Fiasco, based on sets of parties past, will murder the secret dance floor and merrymakers will be glad to have survived to tell the tale.

Fiasco is from where house music comes from – Chicago. He’s been slingin’ and makin’ beats since I was in diapers. Justin Timberlake, Bob Sinclair, DJ. Sneak and sooooooo many more movers and shakers in the music industry have worked with Fiasco, so there must be something more to him than growing up drinking the Chicago water.

Loopity Goofs provide MANY listening pleasures and I certainly sweat my ass off every time they throw it down. Gord and Scott, I love you and pretty much propose marriage to you with my dance moves.

G.Cue will be gracing the decks with Filipino fire and a shitload of wicked tracks!

Miz Megs throws down killer sets on the reg. Check out her set from Canada day.

Throwin’ dope jams since 2010, Locol Productions is back after a short break.

“Gerard and I are so thrilled to be back at it again and bringing a legend who is super close to our hearts and built part of the foundation of house music that we all enjoy to this day! It’s been too long and we cant wait to have Johnny Fiasco grace the decks at yet another underground Locol party. Keep it underground.” – Miz Megs

Come one, come all and get DOWN! February 8th in a special secret location. Hit up locolproductions (at) gmail.com for location details and guestlist.

]]>Hatiras’ Album Release Jam WILL BE DOPEhttp://theheathernetwork.com/hatiras-album-release-jam-will-dope/
Thu, 16 Jan 2014 05:31:41 +0000http://theheathernetwork.com/?p=2713Toronto electronic music lovers get ready, cuz this Saturday January 18th, some serious sweat is in the forecast. Hatiras made ‘Message from 04244‘ – a crazy space love story you can dance to , err, I mean album, and the release party at Ryze is going to be out of[...]

Hatiras made ‘Message from 04244‘ – a crazy space love story you can dance to , err, I mean album, and the release party at Ryze is going to be out of this world (lol).

Adam K, Flipside and Ticky Ty will be playing alongside Hatiras…If any of you have heard any of these people spin before, you already know that you better take a disco nap.

First time I heard Hatiras play was live at WEMF 2006 in Tweed. I was pretty new to the scene at the time and didn’t really know what was going on, except I knew that Hatiras was making me dance. I’m not gonna lie, it helped that his name was lit up in big letters because I didn’t forget it – yes I was that clueless then

Have you listened to ‘Message from 04244‘ yet? Do it now. It’s actually pretty awesome. My favourite track is Weed Molly….cuz I’m a raver like that. Every track on the album is different and I predict that each one tells a different part of the space love story. What would sex be like in space? Anyway, this album is as fluid and diverse as the depths of outer space. From the funky hip-hip beats of Madly in Love to the big room dance vibes that Message from 04244 brings, Hatiras has clearly flexed a few muscles bringing this concept to life. Every track download comes with a video, of what, I don’t know, but keep an eye on Youtube or download the tracks!

Saturday January 18th at Ryze will be crazy good. A few of us are coming out of the woodwork for this, so you should too. Don’t be lame.

For $10 reduced cover before midnight, hit up Miz Megs at djmizmegs(at)gmail.com

]]>Review: Flipside’s Birthday Essential @ Li’lyhttp://theheathernetwork.com/review-flipsides-birthday-essential-lily/
Wed, 31 Jul 2013 03:03:36 +0000http://theheathernetwork.com/?p=2686Tech house is alive and well in Toronto. MC Flipside celebrated another year of being MC Flipside in the basement of Li’ly on Saturday July 20, 2013. Underground, exactly where this party belonged! Myself, and the who’s who of the Toronto tech house scene got down to MC Flipside, Jerome[...]

I arrived at 11:45 while Miz Megs was layin’ down a remix of NU NU. “mmm mmm yeah yeah..” *shake, shake, shake*. Miz Megs was playin’ it fun and bumpy, perfect for when people were trickling in. ALMOST as fun as her Gameboy dress

She busted out Black Pussy by Fantaboys before Jerome Robins came on at 12:05. The beats took a turn for the deeper as Jerome Robins threw on a track with soulful female vocals.

Li’ly did some light redecorating since the last time I was there. Looks like someone hit up an army surplus store and picked up camouflage netting to give a more patterned look to the black lighting. Promise is also known for the camo netting party trick.

Jerome Robins amped things up over the next couple tracks but did not lose the soul. Spiller’s Groovejet, or a version of it, was thrown down and the quickly growing crowd was excited to hear such a classic.

Oh yes he did! Chiapet was dropped and took the jam to the next level.

By this time the place was pretty full, and with familiar movers n shakers in the tech house scene. It was a pleasure meeting Miss Raquel in person!

MC Flipside came on at 1:00 to a pre-sweated dance floor. Bumpy awesome tech house ensued and Flipside dropped one of his own tracks that he did with Jerome Robins and DJ PP, Dirty Beats.

“HOW MANY YEARS GO BY AND WE STILL LOVE THESE BEATS?!” Said Flipside on the mic. The crowd enthusiastically agreed.

]]>The NightOwls – Big Hooters Episode 22http://theheathernetwork.com/discography/the-nightowls-big-hooters-episode-22/
Wed, 17 Jul 2013 02:46:04 +0000http://theheathernetwork.com/?post_type=cpt_discography&p=2683The NightOwls Have the one and only GoonHouse podcast on the planet! They play out all over Toronto… Check them at TheNightOwls.ca